June 2021

Tips for Getting a Good Mortgage Deal

In this three-minute read, we look at how homebuyers can get a good mortgage deal. For most people, a mortgage is the biggest loan they’ll take out in their lifetime so, understandably, they want to land the best deal. But with hundreds of mortgage products on the market, it’s easy for homebuyers to feel overwhelmed or confused. There’s a lot to consider, including: Interest...

How Landlords Can Nip Garden Disputes in the Bud

In this three-minute read, we look at who is responsible for maintaining the garden at a rental property. The most significant property trend to emerge from the pandemic has been the surge in demand – from buyers and renters – for properties with gardens. The race for space is undoubtedly good news for landlords marketing properties with a garden, balcony, or courtyard.  And it’s...

Advice on Choosing a Good Removal Firm

This three-minute read gives you a few ideas to consider when choosing your removal firm. Getting the right people to help you move home is so important. This means your estate agent, your conveyancer, and the people that will do the physical heavy lifting. Choosing the right removal firm will make a big difference, not only on moving day itself, but before, and after, your move. Reviews and...

The Truth about Bad Tenants

In this three-minute read, we look at what can go wrong if you side-step tenant reference checks and wind up with a bad tenant. New landlords often flirt with the idea of ditching traditional tenant selection processes and taking a DIY approach instead. After all, there are so many ways to source tenants these days – like Gumtree or social media – why bother with anything else? Trust us,...

Should You Use the Help to Buy Scheme for Your First Property Purchase?

Three-minute read to help you consider the Help to Buy Scheme from all angles. The Help to Buy scheme is a government-backed equity loan opportunity. It is also referred to as ‘shared equity’. The scheme is currently only available on new build properties. The loan from the government is up to 20% of the purchase price (40% in Greater London). This means that you only need to raise a 5%...

The Benefits of Regular Property Inspections for Landlords

In this three-minute read, we look at why regular inspections should be central to your property management strategy. When you’re a busy landlord juggling a multitude of responsibilities, it’s easy to let a crucial part of managing a property – regular inspections – slide. Landlords usually carry out inspections with clockwork regularity at the start of a tenancy, but things can get a...

Five Reasons to Leave Property Viewings to the Experts

In this two-minute read, we look at why it pays to get an experienced estate agent to handle viewings. When it comes to selling a property, many people overlook the important role viewings play in the process. They mistakenly believe that viewings are simply about opening doors and making sure would-be buyers don’t nick any valuables. In fact, buyers share crucial information during...

Do Landlords Need to Register with the ICO?

This two-minute read takes a look at the ICO and what landlords need to do. Back in 2018, the rules around the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data handling changed. Things like ‘This website uses cookies; do you accept?’ popped up everywhere. The ICO is the Information Commissioner’s Office and covers the whole of the UK. The ICO website explains that they are ‘The UK’s...

What Can I Do To Boost My Property’s Kerb Appeal?

This three-minute read will help you maximise the kerb appeal for your property. A HomeOwners Alliance survey showed that 68% of potential buyers felt a property’s kerb appeal influenced their decision. Use these quick and easy tips to help your potential buyers fall in love at first sight. Pathways and driveways If you access your main entrance via a pathway or over a driveway, make sure you...

Cleaning Checklist to Avoid End-of-Tenancy Disputes

In this three-minute read, we look at ways landlords can prevent losing money in disputes about cleaning. It’s not just couples who bicker over who did or didn’t scrub the bathroom; landlords and tenants can often find themselves at odds on the thorny issue of cleaning. In fact, it’s the most common cause of landlord/tenant discord – 42% of end-of-tenancy disputes are about...

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